Life on the Paririe
(Program 3 of 4)
This program is presented as a series and involves 4 one hour sessions once a month from May through August. This series could be extended for more than 4 months or it could be held once a week, there is a lot of flexibility. Each session has a specific theme, “Track Tricksters,” “Birds N’ Butterflies,” “Life on the Prairie,” and “Wet N’ Wild Wetlands.” These themes are for the spring/summer months and can easily be changed based on the season. For this series, parents must attend with their child.
Materials
- Prairie
- Pictures or furs of animals that live on the prairie
- Cut-outs of shapes in different colors made out of construction paper
Set Up
Cut out enough shapes so that each child has a few to carry around on the hike. Familiarize yourself with animals that inhabit the prairie.
Procedure
For this session we will learn about different animals that live on the prairie and look at the many colors and shapes on the prairie.
Activity 1: What Lives On The Prairie? (indoors or outdoors)
Using pictures and/or furs, talk about animals that live on the prairie.
Activity 2: Colors and Shapes (outdoor)
Using the shapes, go for a hike out on the prairie and identify triangles, circles, etc. in flowers, plants, rocks, animals, seeds, etc. Identify the many colors in the prairie and talk about the animals in the prairie. Why are animals certain colors? Why are plants certain colors? Does it help them survive? Many animals on the prairie are camouflaged to help them hide. Look for animals and their homes in the prairie.
Activity 3: Hide-and-Seek in the Prairie
Play hide-and-seek in the prairie, have the parents hide with their children. Let the children choose an animal that lives in the prairie and pretend to be that animal while they hide. Select one child-adult team to be the seekers. They can pretend to be a prairie hawk or other prairie predator while those that hide are prey.
Activities provided by:
Linn County Conservation Board
Wickiup Hill Outdoor Learning Center
10260 Morris Hills Rd
Toddville, IA 52341
(319) 892-6485
www.linncountyparks.com
_ 0-1
_ 1-2
_ 2-3
✓ 3-4
✓ 4-5
✓ 5-6
Category: Adult-Child
Time:
1 hour
Season:
spring, summer
Iowa Early Learning Standards:
8.2, 9.1, 9.3, 9.4, 10.3, 10.4, 11.1, 12.3, 12.4, 13.3, 14.3
Related Kindernature Resources: Other Resources: